Every year, each college from RMIT University selects 1 nominee for the Patricia Guthrie Award and a total of 3 nominees are interviewed. 
This award is presented to a female with outstanding academic achievement, in addition to strong community development both within and outside of RMIT.   Last week, our Graduate, Rebecca Nielsen was announced the winner of this award. She was the first person in 30 years, from the College of Education to receive this award.  Rebecca graduated from her teaching degree with 1st class honours (the highest degree possible) which supported her academic achievement.  In her interview, she spoke about her contribution to the community within her previous roles at the Australian Red Cross where she supported Asylum Seekers, as well as the Make-A-Wish Foundation where she granted wishes of children with a life threatening illness. Through these roles, Rebecca also supported her colleagues from around the world to get the best outcomes. In addition to this, she spent a year volunteering for a school in Tanzania, Africa where she improved a program for student sponsorship to ensure all students have access to education. She also discussed her contributions and their impact on student life and assessments within RMIT.  In her closing statement, she spoke about the importance of inclusive education and how this can benefit all students in the class.  Rebecca is passionate about inclusive education and is working towards becoming a leading example of how this can be done well to support all students to experience success in the classroom, but more importantly, success in life.   Congratulations Rebecca on all you hard work!  We are thrilled to have you teaching at our school.